Pilgrimage scheme for the elderly to be rolled out soon

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government plans to roll out the Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme, under which senior citizens will be sent on pilgrimages free of cost, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

Around 77,000 elderly people, who are bona-fide residents of Delhi, will be sent on various religious trips, the entire cost of which – including the insurance of pilgrims – will be borne by the government.

Sisodia said Rs 53 crore has been allocated in the 2018-19 Budget for this scheme, which has been approved by the Cabinet.

"But approval of the Lieutenant Governor is awaited. Hopefully, he will approve this scheme for Delhi's senior citizens at the earliest," he said.

The Delhi government, on Thursday, allocated Rs 4,155 crore for social security and welfare – about eight per cent of the total budget of Rs 53,000 crore for 2018-19.

In view of the social security and safety of the elderly as well as women, the Delhi Cabinet also approved setting up 1.5 lakh CCTV Cameras.

The LG has cleared the relevant files and the Delhi government has notified a tender.